With so many workplaces and schools moving remotely, having a functioning laptop with good speed, connectivity, and storage has become more important than ever.
Of course, you can get these features by purchasing a premium laptop, a MacBook, perhaps. However, such models come with heavy price tags that not everyone can afford.
Fortunately, there are also plenty of great laptops on the market that is affordable yet do not sacrifice the quality.
For people who are looking for a laptop to replace your older model, take a look at the ones below.
I have dug the internet to bring you some of the most trustworthy laptops at a budget-friendly price. I have also included a guide to help you choose a model that will fit all your needs.
Which OS? macOS or Windows or Chrome
Laptops are considered an investment. For this reason, you need to make sure that you will be able to choose a model that will not only last for long but will also meet your needs.
Choosing your laptop’s platform is one tough consideration. This is because your choice will define the ease of use of the model you will pick. For this reason, it is important that you are well aware of your choices.
The majority of the laptops on the market come with either Windows, macOS (for MacBooks), or Chrome OS. Choosing which one you will purchase is a personal preference.
Windows 10
But if you are looking for the most flexible one, then Windows 10 is the right choice. This operating system offers a vast range of features like dual graphics chips, touch screens, and fingerprint readers.
It also offers the Cortana digital assistant, the ability to switch from tablet to desktop mode, and a revamped Starr menu through Live Tiles.
Additionally, Microsoft has added a number of improvements to Windows 10 since 2015. For instance, it now allows you to ask follow-up questions with Cortana.
It also now lets you search your email while using natural language and scribble almost anywhere using your stylus. This operating system is great for students, business users, researchers, and even gamers.
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MacOS Big Sur
For those who are willing to spend on an expensive laptop, then a MacBook is an excellent selection. The latest operating system launched by Apple is macOS Big Sur.
It has similar functionality to Windows 10. However, macOS replaced Windows 10’s Microsoft’s Start menu and the taskbar at the bottom of the screen with an apps dock. It also uses its own digital assistant Siri.
More than that, macOS Big Sur has integrated iPad apps into MacBooks. It even made huge improvements to Siri and the Safari browser.
The downside with macOS is that they do not come cheap. They are also not made for touch since MacBooks do not come with touch screens.
Chrome OS
On the other hand, Chrome OS can be found on budget-friendly Chromebooks like the Samsung Chromebook 3. It is simple and secure. But it is worth noting that Chrome OS is more limited than the other two operating systems.
In terms of the looks, Chrome OS is very similar to Windows. Additionally, the main application that you will use with this operating system is the Chrome Browser. The only drawback is that most of the web apps that you use will not work well offline.
Yet, if you need a laptop to check emails, surf the web, or chat online, Chromebooks are a good choice as they are portable and offer good battery life.
| Best MacBook Alternatives for This Year | Best Price to Buy |
|---|---|
| Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop | $549.99 |
ASUS VivoBook L203MA Laptop | |
HP Business AMD Athlon 3050U Silver Laptop | |
Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 | |
2019 Lenovo Ideapad 330S Laptop |
5 of the Best Laptops After MacBooks
1. Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop – Best Laptop that Looks Like Macbook
Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop – Laptops like Macbook Air but Cheaper
The Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop is quite slim, allowing you to easily tuck it away in your bag. And while this model may be small in terms of profile, it is quite big on performance.
It offers swift processing, thanks to its 8GB of RAM. The storage capacity is also monstrously large as it has both a 500GB hard drive and a 128GB solid state drive.
That means that in case you run out of space to store your files, it is more likely because you have too much stuff and not because the laptop does not have enough storage.
Moreover, this unit has Intel UHD graphics with a 15.6-inch, 1080pixel display. One of the best things about the Aspire 5 is that you can easily upgrade it.
This is because its design allows you to easily access the motherboard just by removing the bottom of the chassis. It is even equipped with a hard drive installation kit.
For this reason, you will be able to easily install a hard disk drive in order to complement the 256GB PCle NVMe SSD.
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2. HP Business AMD Athlon 3050U Silver Laptop
HP Business AMD Athlon 3050U Silver Laptop – Laptops like Macbook Air but Cheaper
This business laptop by HP is one of the very few models that are equipped with an AMD Athlon Silver processor.
The HP Business AMD Athlon 3050U Laptop has a 128GB solid state. For this reason, it offers users a faster startup. In addition, it provides fast data retrieval and less heat and noise than a traditional hard drive offers.
This model also has Bluetooth 4.3 connectivity, allowing you to sync it with a number of accessories. In terms of other connectivity features, it has a USB-C port, an HDMI, as well as an SD card slot on its sides. The the14-inch screen, on the other hand, has a 1366 x 768px high-definition display.
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3. Samsung Chromebook Plus V2
Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 – Laptops like Macbook Air but Cheaper
Just like any other Chromebooks available out there, this laptop works best when it is connected to good internet access. This is because a majority of your data will be stored offsite in the cloud once you are using a laptop with Chromebook operating system.
Since your data is stored in cloud storage, the Samsung Chromebook Plus V2’s 64GB storage capacity will never be an issue. What is even better is that when you have an excellent internet connection, this laptop processes at speeds that users called “turbo fast.”
Moreover, you can fold this laptop over and use it as a touchscreen device. It even has a pen that you can use to create a precise graphing, drawing, and even writing when in touchscreen mode.
Additionally, this unit is perfect for video calls as it has a 13-megapixel front-facing camera.
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4. Lenovo Ideapad 330S Laptop
Lenovo Ideapad 330S Laptop – Laptops like Macbook Air but Cheaper
Lenovo Ideapad is known for its excellent laptop and this unit does not disappoint.
The 2019 Lenovo Ideapad 330S Laptop has 8GB RAM and a solid 256GB storage. For this reason, it does not only provide you with speed but also a huge space to store your files and download apps, such as Zoom. Therefore, this laptop boots up quickly and does not lag even when there are multiple programs running all at the same time.
Lenovo also ensured that people will get what they paid for with this laptop’s 15.6-inch UHD display. It even has a comfortable keyboard and sturdy chassis — some advantages that budget laptops do not always offer.
Moreover, this model has a built-in Webcam, integrated digital microphone, wireless-AC and Bluetooth combinations, and stereo speakers.
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5. ASUS VivoBook L203MA Laptop
ASUS VivoBook L203MA Laptop – Laptops like Macbook Air but Cheaper
The ASUS VivoBook L203MA Laptop is a remarkably affordable model. It features 4GB of RAM that gives most users sufficient speed.
While the 64GB storage space is still considered small, it is more than enough for online work, documents, presentations, and even online schooling.
The model also works very well on everyday tasks, thanks to its Intel Celeron N4000 Process.
Moreover, the range of inputs featured in this laptop includes a USB-C port, two USB ports, a headphone jack, and an HDMI input. It operates using the Windows 10 systems, making it decent and competent without requiring you to spend much.
The LCD non-touch panel of this model is 11 inches in size, a common thing among budget laptops.
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Get Yourself a Budget-Friendly MacBook Alternative
Why is a Macbook so expensive?
Apple Macbooks are often pricier than comparably priced laptop alternatives because they offer quality and performance that is unequalled by other brands.
Furthermore, Apple’s hardware like the Trackpad is awesome and a Macbook’s battery is small, yet longlasting and powerful.
As a result, their products tend to be more expensive and require more care in order to maintain their high standards.
Cheaper MacBook Alternatives
Right now, almost everything happens remotely and things are accessible through the internet. Businesses and schools have adapted to doing things online.
Even transactions like paying utility bills and grocery shopping can now be done online. For this reason, you need a laptop that functions excellently to meet all your needs and demands.
A good laptop does not have to be expensive. It does not even have to carry a popular brand name just to prove that it can function and meet your daily needs.
In fact, there are a lot of laptops out there that do not come with sky-high prices yet can still offer excellent features. However, it is important for you to first take a good look at the features and functionalities of your choice before finally buying it.
This way, you can make sure that you are getting a unit that will be able to cater to all your needs.
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